Breaking the cycle: Be free of anxiety and stress

Anxiety and stress are activities of the mind that are believed to be true. Twin shadows lurking behind every corner of modern life. They whisper in your ear, telling you that you're not enough, that there's too much to handle, that you can't cope. I know you know these are shadows of the mind, so let me shine a light in the dark corners.

The illusion of inevitability

First, let’s address a misconception: anxiety and stress feel inevitable. We’ve been conditioned to accept them as permanent fixtures in our lives. But they're not, that's just another belief in the way of feeling better.

These emotions are activities of the mind, not insurmountable walls. When you understand who you truly are and decode the processes fueling these feelings, you begin to see the cracks in the walls, and eventually, they crumble.

Awareness over psychology

Traditional psychology tells us to cope, manage, and even medicate. But coping is a band-aid, not a cure. Managing is a temporary fix, not a solution. Medication can numb, but it rarely heals. The true answer lies in awareness – the most overlooked, yet transformative state of being.

Think about it. Your thoughts and emotions are like clouds – constantly shifting, changing, sometimes dark and stormy, other times light and fluffy. But your awareness? That’s the sky. It remains constant, unfazed by the ever-changing weather.

The more grounded you are in your awareness, the less power those clouds have over you. Just notice. Notice your thoughts and stay with that.

Break the cycle

So, how do you break this cycle of anxiety and stress?

1. Acknowledge the illusion: Understand that anxiety and stress are not inherent parts of you. They are temporary states created by the mind.
2. Shift your focus: Move your attention from the swirling clouds of thought and emotion to the stable sky of awareness.
3. Practice presence: Engage in mindfulness practices. Whether it's meditation, deep breathing, or simply being present in the moment, these activities anchor you in awareness.
4. Challenge your thoughts: Thought is a trickster. Just because you think something doesn’t make it true. Question the validity of your anxious and stressful thoughts.
5. Reconnect with your innate well-being: Happiness, fulfilment, and contentment are your factory settings. These experiences are only veiled by layers of thought. Peel back those layers and reconnect with your true self.

Remember, you are not the storm; you are the sky. Embrace your true nature.

The power of metaphor

Imagine your mind is a river. Anxiety and stress are the turbulent currents and whirlpools that threaten to pull you under. But awareness is the calm, steady flow beneath the surface. When you dive deep into this awareness, the turbulence above loses its grip on you.

Bold statements to ponder

1. You are not your thoughts: You are the awareness observing them.
2. Anxiety and stress are optional: They exist only as long as you give them power.
3. True resilience comes from awareness: Not from battling your thoughts, but from seeing them from the perspective of awareness and seeing the truth.

Thought-provoking questions

• What is it that knows of your anxious thoughts?
• What is not anxious that is you and always present?

Recognise your default setting of awareness

Have you ever noticed how a child can fall over, cry and be scared only to be laughing and playing a moment later? That's awareness in action.  

Ever noticed you can be engrossed in an activity, oblivious to anything else? That’s presence, that’s awareness. 

We've just been conditioned to not see awareness, like the space in a room.

Take action

You don’t have to be chained to anxiety and stress. Break free by understanding the true nature of these emotions. Dive deep into your awareness, where tranquillity resides.

Next time you feel the storm clouds gathering, remember – you are the sky, not the weather.

The future of mental health lies in transcending the conditioned belief that anxiety and stress are inevitable. By integrating awareness into our sense of self, we unlock a treasure trove of confidence, resilience, and lasting happiness. So, take a bold step today. Challenge the ultimate limiting belief. Dive into your awareness and break the cycle. Your mind will thank you.

Remember, you are not the storm; you are the sky. Embrace your true nature.